Several low ranking police officers blocked the Al-Arish-Rafah highway in
protest following the killing of three of their colleagues in an armed
assault earlier Saturday.

Tens of the residents of Sheikh Zwayed, located near Al-Arish, similarly
blocked the road using rocks and burning tires, demanding that sentences
issued in absentia against Sinai residents are dropped.

Three policemen were reported killed by gunshot and three others injured
during an armed attack by unknown assailants Saturday in Al-Arish in Egypt's
Sinai Peninsula.

According to a security source, the attack is believed to be in response to
the killing of three men by police in Sinai last week.

Sinai, on the border with Israel, has been witness to increased violence in
recent months with recurring clashes between security forces and militants.

Bedouins living in Sinai have long-standing grievances with the Egyptian
police and complain of government neglect.